Title: The Dark Labyrinth

Author: Rayne Storm

Rating: PG-13, at least, depends how it goes.

Summary: She had to leave her home to find it. Maybe it's time to do that again. This is a story taking place after The Amber Spyglass.

Author's Note: Hello, everyone. So, hopefully this fanfiction sticks and I write normally so I can post again. Not all of the chapters will be particularly long, but I have plans for the fic that I like. REVIEW :)

Lyra walked down the path to the gardens as she did so often. Her hair blew in the autumn wind, and Pan followed quietly behind her. Neither of them spoke, both were deep in thought. Lyra was leaving soon, to go be a scholar at a different college then Jordan. She would come back to the meeting place again, but it would not be for quite some time. So as she entered the botanic gardens, the fresh smell of life all around her, she wore a sad smile, for she would have to say goodbye to him once she reached the bench. He wouldn't be there truly, but somewhere, in his world, he would be waiting for her. She didn't know it then, but he would be saying goodbye that day too. He would be leaving, also.

She reached the bench and sat down, running her hands along the rough surface of it. She closed her eyes for a second to let in everything, to feel the world around her. Pan climbed up and sat beside her, tickling her hand with his face.

"I never thought I'd end up here, Pan," she whispered. "I never expected my journey would leave me back where I started. I had to leave my home to return to it, it seems. But I think maybe, in the end, he was my home. So I have to leave him to find him again, don't you think?"

Pan replied, "I think you still have a big adventure ahead of you."

Lyra nodded, "I think so, too." She pulled out the alethiometer quietly and opened it, gazing longingly at the symbols. She twisted the three hands to ask a question, even though she knew she could no longer read it. But somehow, her want…her need for the answer, brought it to her, as it had done before.

It said, Yes, you will find him again.